Tree prop



July 12, 1932. C IWESTQVER 1,867,485

TREE PROP Filed May 20, 1931 WITNESS: 6 ATTORNEY /dzfiwafayez" .NVENTORPatented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES CLARK WESTOVER, or w U ooNnA,WASHINGTON TREE snor Application filed May 20, 1931. are; 110,538,815

My present invention has reference to a prop or support for overloadedbranches of fruit trees, and my object is the provision of a device forthis purpose that has a forked 6 end in'which the branch of the tree isreceived and which forked end is of such construction and arrangement asto direct the weight of the tree limb equally between both of the armsafforded thereby.

A further object is the provision of a device for this purpose in whichthe forked end of the device is provided by cutting angularly one faceat the upper end of the prop proper and to pass through an angle openingin the prop at the said end a pin which may be of such length orconnected to the prop at such points as to vary the width of the yoke ornotch and thereby compensate for different thicknesses of tree limbs.

A further object is the provision of a device for this purpose providedwith a yoke or notch at its upper end in which is arranged a cushioningstrip that will prevent injury to the branch of the tree received insaid yoke or notch.

To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in theimprovement hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement.

Figure2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cushioning strip.

35 Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating a slight modification.

As disclosed by the drawing I make use of an upright in the nature of aprop proper which is indicated by the numeral 1. The lower end of thisupright 1 is pointed, as at 2, so that the same may be readily insertedin the ground opposite the tree which is over laden with the fruit. Theprop 1, from its upper end, has one of its faces cut angularly, as at 3,and from and-adjacent to the lower end of the said angle face isprovided with a laterally extending downwardly inclined round opening 4.I pass through this opening a cross sectionally round wooden member inthe nature of a pin 5 and when the pin has one end passed through theopening' and its other enddi-sposed opposite the" angle face 3 of theprop a substantially V-shaped yoke 1s supported between these parts thatreceives therein the overladen limb of the tree. A wire 6 is woundaround the lower projecting end of the pin 5, twisted upon itself andfrom thence wound around the prop and has its ends connected. In thismanner it will be noted that the pin is adjustably secured on the propso that the portion of the pin projecting beyond the angle face 3 of theprop may be extended to desired lengths to permit of the devicereceivingin the yoke or notched portion thereof tree branches of differentthicknesses.

' Preferably I attach to theupper Wall of the angle face 3 of the prop,by means 7, one end of a cushioning strip 8. The cushioning strip,adjacent to the second end thereof is I0 provided with a round opening 9through which the pin 5 is passed. The portion of the cushioning stripprovided with the opening is arranged at an angle with respect to thepin which permits of the adjustment of the strip on the pin and whichlikewise holds the cushioning strip from movement when so adjusted.

In Figure 4 of the drawing the device is substantially similar to thatjust described, except that in lieu of the wire 6 nails 10 are passed inopposite directions through the pin 5 to enter the prop. I

The simplicity of the construction and'the advantages thereof will, itis thought, he apparent so that further detailed description will not berequired.

Having described the invention, I, claim:

1. A tree prop for the purpose set forth,

comprising a prop member having one end 1 pointed for insertion in theground, its second end being cut angularly on one, of its faces, and apin member inserted angularly through the prop'adjacent to its saidupper end and means for adjustably securing said '95 pin on said prop.

2. A tree prop forthe purpose set forth, comprising a prop member havingone end pointed for insertion in the ground, its second end being cutangularly on" one of its faces, and a pin member inserted angular-1ythrough the prop adjacent to its said upper end and means'for adjustablysecuring said pin on said prop and a cushioning strip having one endfastened to the angle end of the prop and its other end adjustablymounted on the pin.

3. A tree prop for the purpose set forth, comprising a prop memberhaving one end pointed for insertion in the ground, its sec-- ond endbeing cut angularly on one of its faces, a pin member inserted angularlythrough'the prop adjacent to its said upper' end and means foradjustably securing said pm on sa1d prop, and a cushioning strip hav,ing one end fixed tothe angle face of the prop and its second-endprovided with an opening to receive the pin therethrough. r r Intestimony WhereofIaffix my signature.

. CLARK WESTOVER.

